RCCrawler Forums

phishead1101 · 07-27-2006, 03:13 PM

I did a quick search and found nothing so I am just gonna throw this out there...

I was having issues with my batterys not holding a decent charge so my buddy Rich told me to drain the battery and freeze it overnight then trickle charge it back to full capacity. To be honest with you I have never heard of such a thing ..... But with two out of five batterys down for the count I decided to give it a shot.

I did excatly what he told me to... drained the batterys and froze them overnight...the next night I put them on the charger and this morning when I woke I checked out the batterys they were just like new....go figure... has anyone ever heard of this or have I been in a cave for the last couple of years?

EeePee · 07-27-2006, 03:39 PM

If they're Nicd batteries what you've done is broken down the crystals that cause the memory effect.

If they're Nimh batteries, you're imagining things.

phishead1101 · 07-27-2006, 03:50 PM

They are NI-CD ....So are they still messed up or what? They hold a decent charge.

hvydty1 · 07-27-2006, 03:51 PM

So this is true for nicd's? Drain and freeze? Is this a limited effect, or does it actually dememorize the cells? Budy of mine has like 5 or 6 nicd's that have basically lost the ability to keep a charge, this might save him some mula. His is a basher anyway.

RD400 · 07-27-2006, 04:30 PM

The freezing thing is new to me, but when our NiCDs got "soft" on thier charges and run time we used to dead short them for a week. Then charge them at 6 amps. Either the pack came back with great numbers or, blew up. About 50\50 chances.

TMXONR · 07-27-2006, 06:24 PM

Can I use my regular charger, just put it at a real low amp rate? If I can how low will I need to charge it at. My charger will go down to .1 amp

DaViolentOne · 07-28-2006, 09:04 AM

Another way to temporarily "revive" NiCd is to take a capacitor of 10 or more volts and charge it up on a 9V battery or something for a second or 2... Then short the cap. across the positive end of each cell... Start charging again...

I've tried this on smaller capacity NiCd than we use in RC today, I did it about 12 years back now, and I got about 20% more "life" out of the cells... They were 1200MaH C cells, rated for about 1000 charges each and I got them up over 1200 with that trick...

thaclodking · 07-28-2006, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaViolentOne

Another way to temporarily "revive" NiCd is to take a capacitor of 10 or more volts and charge it up on a 9V battery or something for a second or 2... Then short the cap. across the positive end of each cell... Start charging again...

That is similar to Tekins "power-flex" mode and the "reverse pulse" on the Novaks. I have had some batteries that are RUSTY charge up and stay usable.

phishead1101 · 07-28-2006, 10:42 AM

Does the actual process of freezing a NI-CD battery change the memory in a good way or a bad way?

Reflection · 07-28-2006, 01:15 PM

Years ago(when I was framing houses for a living) the guy I worked for froze his Makita batteries everynight. He claimed they worked better this way. I'm not saying it did or didn't,but his drills did seem to last a bit longer than some most of the time. Now,was it the freezing that did this or was it because he spent more time drinking beer rather than working.

I know his beer cooler was nearly always empty before mine was

EeePee · 07-28-2006, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phishead1101

Does the actual process of freezing a NI-CD battery change the memory in a good way or a bad way?

A good way.

Also, freezing the battery packs (any battery type) will slow their natural tendency to self discharge. Put the battery in a plastic bag to help reduce moisture getting inside, then let the battery come back to room temperature all on it's own.

TMXONR, yes, after you drain the pack, and freeze it overnight, let it come back to room temp on it's own, then slow charge it (1/10C - 1/20C). If your batteries are 1200mah, 0.12 amps is 1/10C.

TMXONR · 07-28-2006, 08:11 PM

Thanks EeePee. I'm gonna do this tonight. I have 3 or 4 batteries that may benifit from this.

clod buster · 07-28-2006, 10:42 PM

im gonna try this.how many amps should i charge a 2400mah battery at for this to work right?

slobin3d · 07-28-2006, 10:56 PM

.24 amps

EeePee · 07-29-2006, 05:31 AM

And cycle them a few times. 1/10C charging, and around 1C discharging. Which is pretty much one single light bulb, like an 1157.

cartronicshn · 07-29-2006, 05:58 AM

i have to old school pro tech 6-7 cells chargers, onne with current adjust the other w/o, if let the batt packs trickle charge overnight, will this do the trick, i can't find the specs on these chargers

EeePee · 07-29-2006, 06:23 AM

Yeah, trickle chargin' is usually a ~ 0.1 - 0.3 charge.

Trickle charge for many hours, 'til toasty. Then, slowly discharge 'em, bag 'em, freeze 'em. Thaw 'em. Repeat.

'

cartronicshn · 07-29-2006, 06:45 AM

cool thanks EeePee

phishead1101 · 07-29-2006, 09:08 AM

So I guess the batterys will still go bad eventually it's just the nature of the beast, but hell if you can get 10-15 more runs from them then it's worth it! Thanks EeePee for clarifying!

EeePee · 07-29-2006, 10:25 AM

No prob guys, keep in touch with any kind of results.

07-27-2006, 03:13 PM	#1
phishead1101 Rock Crawler Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Knoxville Posts: 611	Frozen Battery I did a quick search and found nothing so I am just gonna throw this out there... I was having issues with my batterys not holding a decent charge so my buddy Rich told me to drain the battery and freeze it overnight then trickle charge it back to full capacity. To be honest with you I have never heard of such a thing ..... But with two out of five batterys down for the count I decided to give it a shot. I did excatly what he told me to... drained the batterys and froze them overnight...the next night I put them on the charger and this morning when I woke I checked out the batterys they were just like new....go figure... has anyone ever heard of this or have I been in a cave for the last couple of years?

07-27-2006, 03:39 PM	#2
EeePee MODERATOR™ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 18,928	If they're Nicd batteries what you've done is broken down the crystals that cause the memory effect. If they're Nimh batteries, you're imagining things.

07-27-2006, 03:50 PM	#3
phishead1101 Rock Crawler Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Knoxville Posts: 611	They are NI-CD ....So are they still messed up or what? They hold a decent charge.

07-27-2006, 03:51 PM	#4
hvydty1 Quarry Creeper Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Angier N.C. Posts: 387	So this is true for nicd's? Drain and freeze? Is this a limited effect, or does it actually dememorize the cells? Budy of mine has like 5 or 6 nicd's that have basically lost the ability to keep a charge, this might save him some mula. His is a basher anyway.

07-27-2006, 04:30 PM	#5
RD400 Rock Crawler Join Date: May 2005 Location: omaha Posts: 858	The freezing thing is new to me, but when our NiCDs got "soft" on thier charges and run time we used to dead short them for a week. Then charge them at 6 amps. Either the pack came back with great numbers or, blew up. About 50\50 chances.

07-27-2006, 06:24 PM	#6
TMXONR Quarry Creeper Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bryant, AR Posts: 463	Can I use my regular charger, just put it at a real low amp rate? If I can how low will I need to charge it at. My charger will go down to .1 amp

07-28-2006, 09:04 AM	#7
DaViolentOne Rock Crawler Join Date: May 2006 Location: Surrey, BC, Canada Posts: 870	Another way to temporarily "revive" NiCd is to take a capacitor of 10 or more volts and charge it up on a 9V battery or something for a second or 2... Then short the cap. across the positive end of each cell... Start charging again... I've tried this on smaller capacity NiCd than we use in RC today, I did it about 12 years back now, and I got about 20% more "life" out of the cells... They were 1200MaH C cells, rated for about 1000 charges each and I got them up over 1200 with that trick...

07-28-2006, 10:42 AM	#9
phishead1101 Rock Crawler Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Knoxville Posts: 611	Does the actual process of freezing a NI-CD battery change the memory in a good way or a bad way?

07-28-2006, 01:15 PM	#10
Reflection TEAM MODERATOR Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tennessee Posts: 10,855	Years ago(when I was framing houses for a living) the guy I worked for froze his Makita batteries everynight. He claimed they worked better this way. I'm not saying it did or didn't,but his drills did seem to last a bit longer than some most of the time. Now,was it the freezing that did this or was it because he spent more time drinking beer rather than working. I know his beer cooler was nearly always empty before mine was

07-28-2006, 08:11 PM	#12
TMXONR Quarry Creeper Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bryant, AR Posts: 463	Thanks EeePee. I'm gonna do this tonight. I have 3 or 4 batteries that may benifit from this.

07-28-2006, 10:42 PM	#13
clod buster Newbie Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Harwich Posts: 6	im gonna try this.how many amps should i charge a 2400mah battery at for this to work right?

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07-29-2006, 06:45 AM	#18
cartronicshn I wanna be Dave Join Date: May 2006 Location: HONDURAS...ROCK HEAVEN Posts: 5,076	cool thanks EeePee

07-28-2006, 10:56 PM	#14
slobin3d I'm a stupid C U N T! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In the Garage! Posts: 4,307	.24 amps

07-29-2006, 05:31 AM	#15
EeePee MODERATOR™ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 18,928	And cycle them a few times. 1/10C charging, and around 1C discharging. Which is pretty much one single light bulb, like an 1157.

07-29-2006, 05:58 AM	#16
cartronicshn I wanna be Dave Join Date: May 2006 Location: HONDURAS...ROCK HEAVEN Posts: 5,076	i have to old school pro tech 6-7 cells chargers, onne with current adjust the other w/o, if let the batt packs trickle charge overnight, will this do the trick, i can't find the specs on these chargers

07-29-2006, 06:23 AM	#17
EeePee MODERATOR™ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 18,928	Yeah, trickle chargin' is usually a ~ 0.1 - 0.3 charge. Trickle charge for many hours, 'til toasty. Then, slowly discharge 'em, bag 'em, freeze 'em. Thaw 'em. Repeat. '

07-29-2006, 09:08 AM	#19
phishead1101 Rock Crawler Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Knoxville Posts: 611	So I guess the batterys will still go bad eventually it's just the nature of the beast, but hell if you can get 10-15 more runs from them then it's worth it! Thanks EeePee for clarifying!

07-29-2006, 10:25 AM	#20
EeePee MODERATOR™ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 18,928	No prob guys, keep in touch with any kind of results.

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